Michel Aebischer's determination, showcased with an assist and a great goal before halftime, decisively marked Saturday's match between Switzerland and Hungary, which saw a late goal from Barnabás Varga.

In added time, Breel Embolo secured a Swiss victory that could prove crucial for the final group configuration in the initial stages of Euro 2024.

Germany's thrashing of Scotland (5-1) in the tournament's opening match highlighted the significance of the Cologne clash between Hungary and Switzerland, who were vying for the second spot.

With Germany expected to top the group as hosts and favorites, the other teams' sights are set on the remaining positions leading to the knockout stages.

Both Marco Rossi's and Murat Yakin's teams approached the game with intensity and determination from the start. Switzerland's effort paid off. Hungary played sporadically, relying on the intermittent brilliance of Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai.

In his debut as a national coach in a major tournament, Murat Yakin's Switzerland showed more ambition and emerged as strong contenders for qualification. Yakin's strategy worked as planned. Switzerland won the theoretically key match against Hungary and now aims to secure their progress in the second match against Scotland. They will close the group stage against Germany, aiming to contest the group leadership.

Switzerland took control, and when Hungary woke up, they were already two goals down. Hungary's tactical changes and increased pace and daring in the latter part of the game challenged Switzerland's victory after Barnabás Varga's goal narrowed the gap.

Switzerland played to the rhythm set by Granit Xhaka, supported by Remo Freuler, Dan Ndoye, and Aebischer, a key trio at Bologna, one of Serie A's revelations.

Switzerland's strong start bore fruit early. Their pressure was effective, and they opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a superb pass from Aebischer to Kwadwo Duah, who beat Peter Gulacsi. They could have scored a second eight minutes later, but Ruben Vargas's effort was thwarted by the Leipzig goalkeeper.

Hungary's first attacking threat came in the 40th minute with a set-piece and a header from Willi Orban, saved by Yann Sommer. Switzerland's precision made the difference, and just before halftime, they scored again.

A chain of defensive errors from Marco Rossi's side saw Xhaka find Freuler, who passed to Aebischer, and his precise shot from the edge of the box left Gulacsi helpless.

With a two-goal lead, Switzerland eased into the second half but could have sealed the win early in the second period with Duah's missed chance.

The game changed after an hour. Hungary's tactical adjustments and increased tempo gave them hope. Varga's first threat came from a Roland Sallai cross he headed just wide. In the 66th minute, he didn't miss. Szoboszlai delivered a perfect pass, and Varga beat Aebischer to score.

Hungary pressed, and Switzerland adapted their strategy. Physically spent, Switzerland managed the clock and Hungary's urgency. The game remained open, and Switzerland could have scored again.

Gulacsi saved from a corner, and Marton Dardai cleared off the line during a counterattack. However, Hungary couldn't prevent the third goal, which came from a long Yann Sommer clearance. Breel Embolo seized on Willi Orban's hesitation to lob the ball over the advancing goalkeeper, sealing the Swiss victory.